Physiographic analysis of the FCT shows that many areas of the Territory ought to be designated for special protection. Firstly, because, certain places have unique physical features which for symbolic or natural beauty reasons ought to be maintained. Secondly, valuable soil and water regimes ought to be maintained. And thirdly, areas adjacent to urbanized areas will be damaged or misused without special protection status.
Based on their unique geological character, and their prominent visual relationship to the Capital City, two areas; the Zuma Hills and the southernmost scarp of the Bwari-Aso Hills – might be considered for preservation, by their designation as national monuments. This is contained in the Regional Development Plan, Chapter 12 of the Abuja Master plan.
Areas outside the FCT might be considered for inclusion in the monument designation, since they are part of the visual ensemble which makes the Abuja area visually attractive and interesting. The Zuma Hills monument area is centered on Zuma Rock, the most distinctive and easily recognized inselberg at the FCT border line. It also include the surrounding hills and scarps facing the Gwagwa plains.
The second monument area was the Aso Hills. Also, due to its unique visual character and relationship to the plan of the Capital City. The Abuja Master planners recognized that these types of areas require protection from development and preservation in their natural states, because they are likely to experience the greatest pressure for change and suffer irreparable damage.
The Zuma Rock is an igneous intrusion composed specifically of Gabbro and Granodiorite. Its most interesting feature is the imprint of a human-like face with features similar to eyes, nose and mouth. It has an approximate elevation of 725 meters above its surroundings and 3.1 kilometers circumference, it towers even above the Aso and Olumo rocks combined, earning for itself a place among the highest and largest monoliths in the world. Hiking this rock takes about five hours.
Out of the number of prominent places of tourist attractions in Nigeria, the Zuma Rock majestically distinguishes itself.
Although part of the Zuma Rock is in the FCT, but, its greater portion is in Niger State. However, it was prominently being associated with the FCT and has variously been mentioned in the Abuja Master plan.
In the early days of Abuja’s development, the Zuma Rock is always portrayed as the symbol of attraction and natural beauty of the FCT on the NTA, other news media and souvenirs issued by the FCT public institutions. Subsequently, when the
100 Naira note was first introduced it carried the inscription stating “Zuma Rock FCT”. Niger State Government objected that reference to the FCT, and the narration was changed. Since then FCT owned institutions changed their symbols to either the Aso Rock or the City Gate which can never be contested as belonging to the FCT.
Much earlier, in the early 80s, at the inception of the FCT, the Niger State Government under its first civilian Governor Malam Muhammadu Awwal Ibrahim, now Emir Zazzau Suleja, commenced the development of the Suleja International Hotel at the foot of the Zuma Rock. This was because the future attractive potential of the Zuma Rock Area was predicted. More so that it was already captured and expounded in the Abuja Master plan.
Unfortunately, the structure as conspicuous as it is to all travelers along the Lokoja – Abuja – Kaduna Federal Highway, was abandoned and made an eye-sore ever since, for more than 40 years, to the benefits of rodents, reptiles and sanctuary for people with criminal tendencies. Despite being their only route to Abuja, unless they fly, all the subsequent Governors refused to revive the project, its potential as a major revenue earner for the State notwithstanding.
At the beginning of his tenure the Present Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago promised to make the development of Suleja and Areas around the Niger – FCT border a priority, due to its potential for generating huge revenue for the State. He was always being quoted, boasting that money is not his problem, because the President has given the Governors plenty. Yet, it was not proven in these productive ventures.
The proposal by one of the past Governors, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, to transform the area to a world class tourist haven with overhead cable cars and helicopter tours to the top of the Zuma Rock remained only a wishful thinking up to the end of his tenure, which ended more than 10 years ago. The proposal was never revisited by any of his predecessors.
Today, rather than being a natural beautiful environment for attraction of tourist, with the status of a National Monument as proposed, the Zuma Rock area has been degraded as mining sites, with preponderance of quarrying activities. This was what the Abuja Master planners foresaw and recommended the area to be designated for special protection. However, there is only one exception.
To be continued.